12. *Mean time _the meek shall inherit the earth_. Such is the foolishness of worldly wisdom! The wise of the world had warned them again and again, “That if they did not resent such treatment, if they would tamely suffer themselves to be thus abused, there would be no living for them upon earth; that they would never be able to procure the common necessaries of life, nor to keep even what they had; that they could expect no peace, no quiet possession, no enjoyment of any thing.” Most true――suppose there were no God in the world; or suppose he did not concern himself with the children of men. But _when_ God _ariseth to judgment, and to help all the meek upon earth_: how doth he laugh all this Heathen wisdom to scorn, and turn the _fierceness of man to his praise_! He takes a peculiar care, to provide them with all things needful for life and godliness. He secures to them the provision he hath made, in spite of the force, fraud, or malice of men. And what he secures, he _gives_ them _richly to enjoy_. It is sweet to them, be it little or much. As _in patience_ they _possess their souls_, so they truly possess whatever God hath given them. They are always content, always pleased with what they have. It pleases them, because it pleases God. So that while their heart, their desire, their joy is in heaven, they may truly be said to _inherit the earth_. 13. But there seems to be a yet farther meaning in these words, even that they shall have a more eminent part _in the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness_, in that inheritance, a general description of which (and the particulars we shall know hereafter) St. _John_ hath given in the 20th chapter of the _♦Revelation. And I saw an angel come down from heaven――and he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent――and bound him a thousand years――And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of_ Jesus, _and for the word of_ God, _and of them which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands, and they lived and reigned with_ Christ _a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again, until the thousand years were expired. This is the first resurrection: blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power. But they shall be priests of_ God _and of_ Christ, _and shall reign with him a thousand years_.